A small Nebraska town is startled by the theft of a golf cart. It’s not used on a course but by a beloved member of the community to get around.
In many ways Vern Dettmer is the ambassador for Avoca which is located about 30 miles south of the Omaha metro area.
In the town of 250 there are a dozen golf carts resident use to get around town. For years Vern has driven around in his cart which is green and stamped with John Deere decals. He often takes kids and adults for a spin. Vern said, “All the women want to ride so I show them that town.”
But after midnight one night this week thieves started up the gas powered golf cart and took it. Vern had that small town habit of leaving the key in the cup holder. His daughter Nancy Bose said,
"Now we’ll have to find a way to get him back out into the community because that his life.”
Area residents have been searching like family friend Arlen Michael. He said, “Look in alleys or any place they may have abandoned it, some one took it for a joyride.”
The Cass County sheriff's office is investigating. The cart is worth about $1,500. But far more for Vern who didn’t let a stroke keep him from being a man about town.
